Michael Emilio

I just received an email on a very interesting topic:

“Hi Mike, I’m looking to buy my first home in the South Florida area. Do you have any advice for first time homebuyers?” SR – Hialeah, Fl

I’ll start off by saying that buying your first home can be both the scariest and most thrilling moment of your life. Being that a home is usually the largest asset and largest purchase BY FAR that most people will ever make in their entire lives, it boggles my mind that so many people won’t invest the time to learn about the homebuying process and preferably hire a professional that will use their vast knowledge to make the process go much smoother and without the headaches.

First. Money. Income and debt usually determine the kind of mortgage you can obtain. Cash generally is needed for the down payment and closing costs.

Second. Make a wishlist. Pretend you’re grocery shopping, only that instead of canned goods, you’re shopping for your home. Make a list of everything you want and don’t want in a home. Number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, garage(s), and areas where you want to live or don’t live are great places to start.

Third. Start shopping! Go out with your wishlist and start looking for houses. My recommendation? Enlist the help of a real estate professional. They know the real estate law, the market, the locations, and the real estate process. Remember, the buyer does not pay the real estate commission! So you’re getting a real estate professional on your side… AT NO COST! And since a real estate transaction can be a complex, confusing, and often maddening process, you’ll be glad you have a professional at your corner!